Youngsters Get NextGen Return

Villa have been drawn against Celtic, Sporting Lisbon and PSV Eindhoven in the group stages of next seasons NextGen Series.

Following our fantastic run to the quarter finals last term, Villa have been invited to return to see if we can push on and make the semi's or even the final this time around.

As many will know, we topped our Group last term after facing off against Ajax, Rosenborg and Fenerbache before losing to a very physically cheating Marseille in the quarters. Yes I'm still bitter, the referee was atrocious and as I associate Marseille with good flowing football, I still believe they should be ashamed of themselves for that performance.

Anyway, moving on.

Celtic and Sporting both competed last year; Celtic grabbed 9 points in the group stage (Barcelona, Marseille, Man City) but went out whereas Sporting reached the last 8 before losing to the inaugural champions Inter Milan.

Following the NextGen's success it has now been expanded from 16 to 24 teams which means Chelsea, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, CSKA Moscow, Anderlecht, Olympiacos and Athletic Bilboa join up for 2012-13.

Juventus also replace Basel.

Dates, details and ticket prices for the fixtures will be announced in due course.

If anyone wants to know the details of all the Groups please Click Here.

Agree with everyone..this competetion was the ONLY highlight of the season (oh no, to be fair, the Reserves performance in winning the league as well, although almost the same players used for both)..Really looking forward to this again